Combination garden tiller and sprinkler head grass trimmer

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for trimming grass around sprinkler heads or tending a small garden area includes a tubular member having a plurality of serrations formed on one end for cutting grass around such sprinkler heads. A housing member partially disposed for reciprocal movement within the tubular member. A plate disposed for closing one end of housing member and having an outer periphery engageable with an inner surface of such tubular member for guiding during reciprocal movement. A second guide disposed around outer periphery of such housing member intermediate each end thereof. Another elongated rod like member engages an end of such first elongated rod like member. A caged biasing means is disposed over the second rod like member for absorbing shock during use of apparatus and a mechanism for manipulating the apparatus while trimming such grass around such sprinkler head or tending such small garden area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims benefit of priorityfrom U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/761,836 filed Jan.25, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to lawn and garden typeequipment and, more particularly, this invention relates to acombination turbo garden tiller and a grass trimmer for trimming thegrass around the head of a lawn water sprinkler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as isgenerally well known in the prior art, garden tillers and grass trimmershave been sold commercially and are generally in widespread use.

The numerous prior art type garden tillers, which are known toApplicant, are normally rather large and are, therefore, usually notused for small jobs such as tending a small flower garden. Additionally,the prior art type grass trimmers are not specifically designed to trima circle as is needed around the head of a lawn water sprinkler.Furthermore, to the best of Applicant's knowledge, there is not a singleimplement presently available on the market which can be readily adaptedto do each of these jobs in an efficient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a grass trimmer fortrimming the grass from around the head of a lawn water sprinklersystem. The grass trimmer includes an elongated generally hollow tubularmember closed at a first end thereof. Such elongated tubular memberhaving each of a predetermined length and a predetermined diameter.There is a plurality of serrations formed on a second axially opposedend of the elongated generally hollow tubular member for cutting grassdisposed around such head portion of such lawn water sprinkler.Additionally, a means engageable with the first closed end of suchelongated generally hollow tubular member is provided for manipulatingsuch apparatus for trimming such grass from around such head portion ofsuch lawn water sprinkler system.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a relatively smallgarden tiller for at least one of tending, tilling and cultivating theground around: a small garden area to remove unwanted vegetation. Suchgarden tiller includes a first elongated rod like member having each ofa predetermined length and a first predetermined cross-sectional shapein a direction transverse to such predetermined length. A predeterminednumber of tine members are secured to an outer surface of the elongatedrod like member adjacent a first end thereof for penetrating a groundsurface in order to at least one of till, weed and cultivate a smallgarden area. A second elongated rod like member engageable at a firstend thereof with a second axially opposed end of said first elongatedrod like member is provided. A biasing means is disposed over suchsecond elongated rod like member and caged between a pair of plate likemembers for absorbing shock during use of the apparatus and a meansengageable with a second end of such second elongated rod like member isprovided for manipulating such apparatus during such at least one oftilling, weeding and cultivating a small garden area.

The instant invention, in a third and final aspect, provides acombination garden tiller and grass trimmer for at least one of trimmingaround a lawn water sprinkler head and at least one of tilling, weedingand cultivating a small garden area. This combination garden tiller andgrass trimmer for trimming around a lawn water sprinkler head includesan elongated generally hollow tubular member closed at a first endthereof. Such elongated tubular member having each of a predeterminedlength and a predetermined diameter. A plurality of serrations areformed on a second axially opposed end of the elongated generally hollowtubular member for cutting grass disposed around such head portion ofsuch lawn water sprinkler. An elongated generally hollow housing memberat least partially disposed for reciprocal movement within suchelongated generally hollow tubular member. The elongated generallyhollow housing member being open at a first end thereof and having eachof a predetermined length and a predetermined cross-sectional shape in adirection transverse to such predetermined length. A plate like means isdisposed at a second end of the axially opposed second end of suchelongated generally hollow housing member for closing such second end ofthe elongated generally hollow housing member and having an outerperiphery thereof engageable with an inner surface of such elongatedgenerally hollow tubular member for providing a first portion of a guidemeans during such reciprocal movement. A second portion of the guidemeans is disposed around an outer periphery of the elongated generallyhollow housing member intermediate each end thereof and having an outerperiphery engageable with the inner surface of such elongated generallyhollow tubular member for providing a first portion of the guide meansduring such reciprocal movement. A first elongated rod like memberhaving each of a predetermined length and a first predeterminedcross-sectional shape in a direction transverse to said predeterminedlength is provided to receive a predetermined number of tine memberssecured to an outer surface thereof adjacent a first end for penetratinga ground surface to at least one of till, weed and cultivate a smallgarden area. A second elongated rod like member engages at a first endthereof with a second axially opposed end of the first elongated rodlike member. A biasing means is disposed over such second elongated rodlike member and caged between a pair of plate like members for absorbingshock during use of such apparatus. There is a means engageable with oneof such first closed end of the elongated generally hollow tubularmember and such second end of such elongated rod like member formanipulating such apparatus for at least one of trimming such grass fromaround such head portion of such lawn sprinkler and at least one oftilling, weeding and cultivating a small garden area.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a combination garden tiller and grass trimmer for trimming grassfrom around the head of a lawn water sprinkler system which is easy touse.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combinationgarden tiller and grass trimmer for trimming grass from around the headof a lawn water sprinkler system which is less expensive to purchasethan when these two items are purchased as separate units.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide acombination garden tiller and grass trimmer for trimming grass fromaround the head of a lawn water sprinkler system which is relativelylightweight.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combinationgarden tiller and grass trimmer for trimming grass from around the headof a lawn water sprinkler system which requires less storage space thanpresently available equipment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combinationgarden tiller and grass trimmer for trimming grass from around the headof a lawn water sprinkler system which can be power operated or manuallyoperated.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide acombination garden tiller and grass trimmer for trimming grass fromaround the head of a lawn water sprinkler system which will reduce thetime required to till a relatively small area and to trim around a watersprinkler head.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the presentinvention described with some degree of specificity above it should beobvious that additional objects and advantages of the combination gardentiller and grass trimmer will become more readily apparent to thosepersons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following moredetailed description of the invention, particularly, when suchdescription is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figuresand with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side elevation view showing the combination garden tiller andgrass trimmer for trimming around a lawn water sprinkler head assembledas it would be used for tilling;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the combination garden tiller and grasstrimmer for trimming around a lawn water sprinkler head illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the combination garden tiller andgrass trimmer for trimming around a water sprinkler head illustratingthe apparatus assembled for use as a grass trimmer for trimming around alawn water sprinkler head; and

FIG. 4 is a view showing a replaceable portion of apparatus for trimmingaround a lawn sprinkler head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity andunderstanding, identical components which have identical functions havebeen identified with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIG. 3 of the drawings.Illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of a grasstrimming apparatus, generally designated 10, for trimming grass fromaround the head of a lawn water sprinkler (not shown).

Such apparatus 10 includes an elongated generally hollow tubular member12 closed at a first end 14 thereof. The elongated generally hollowtubular member 12 having each of a predetermined length and apredetermined inside diameter which allows clearance around the head(not shown) of the lawn water sprinkler system (not shown). Preferably,such predetermined inside diameter is generally about 3.0 inches.

There is a plurality of serrations 16 formed on a second axially opposedend 18 of such elongated generally hollow tubular member 12 for cuttinggrass disposed around such head portion of such lawn water sprinklersystem. In the most presently preferred embodiment of the invention suchsecond axially opposed end 18 of such elongated generally hollow tubularmember 12 is heat treated for hardening.

Additionally, there is a means, generally designated 20, engageable withsaid first closed end 14 of such elongated generally hollow tubularmember 12 for manipulating the apparatus 10 for trimming such grass fromaround such head portion of such lawn water sprinkler system.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such means 20engageable with the first closed end 14 of such elongated generallyhollow tubular member 12 for manipulating the apparatus 10 for trimmingsuch grass from around such head portion of such lawn sprinkler systemis one of power driven and manually operated.

In the situation where such means 20 engageable with such first closedend 14 of such elongated generally hollow tubular member 12 formanipulating said apparatus for trimming such grass from around suchhead portion of such lawn sprinkler is manually operated a handle (notshown) will be provided.

On the other hand, in the situation where such means 20 engageable withsuch first closed end of the elongated generally hollow tubular member12 for manipulating such apparatus 10 for trimming such grass fromaround such head portion of such lawn sprinkler is power driven a motor(not shown) will be provided. Such motor may be either electricallypowered or gas powered.

Now reference is made, still more particularly, to FIG. 4 of thedrawings. Illustrated therein is a replaceable portion 17 for theserrations 16 on the grass trimming apparatus 10. Such replaceableportion 17 is in the form of a band saw blade.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIG. 2. Illustrated thereinis a presently preferred embodiment of an apparatus, generallydesignated 100 for at least one of tilling, weeding and cultivating asmall garden area.

This apparatus 100 includes a first elongated rod like member 102 havingeach of a predetermined length and a first predetermined cross-sectionalshape in a direction transverse to the predetermined length. Such firstpredetermined cross-sectional shape of the first elongated rod likemember 102 will be selected from one of generally round, hexagonal andoctagonal. In the most presently preferred embodiment of the inventionthis first predetermined cross-sectional shape of such first elongatedrod like member 102 is generally round.

Another essential component of the apparatus 100 is a predeterminednumber of tine members 104 secured to an outer surface 106 of such firstelongated rod like member 102 closely adjacent a first end 108 thereoffor penetrating a ground surface (not shown) in order to at least one oftill, weed and cultivate a small garden area, such as a flower garden.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention suchpredetermined number of tine members 104 is six. Additionally, each ofsuch six tine members 104 will include a sharpen point. Preferably, suchsharpened points will be heat treated to improve their hardness.

There is a second elongated rod like member 110 engageable at a firstend 112 thereof with a second axially opposed end 114 of such firstelongated rod like member 102.

A biasing means, generally designated 120, disposed over such secondelongated rod like member 110 and caged between a pair of plate likemembers 122 and 124 for absorbing shock during use of such apparatus100.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such biasingmeans 120 is a spring 126. Preferable such spring 126 is a coilcompression spring.

These is a means 130 engageable with a second end 128 of such secondelongated rod like member 110 for manipulating the apparatus 100 duringsuch at least one of tilling, weeding and cultivating a small gardenarea.

In the presently preferred embodiment such means 130 engageable with thesecond end 128 of such second elongated rod like member 110 formanipulating the apparatus 100 during at least one of tilling, weedingand cultivating a small garden area is one of power driven and manuallyoperated.

Now refer, more particularly, to FIG. 1. Illustrated therein is anapparatus, generally designated 200, for at least one of trimming grassfrom around a head portion (not shown) of a lawn water sprinkler (notshown) and at least one of tilling, weeding and cultivating a smallgarden area. This apparatus 200 includes an elongated generally hollowtubular member 12 closed at a first end 14 thereof. Such elongatedtubular member 12 having each of a predetermined length and apredetermined diameter.

A plurality of serrations 16 are formed on the second axially opposedend 18 of such elongated generally hollow tubular member 12 for cuttinggrass disposed around such head portion of such lawn water sprinkler.

There is an elongated generally hollow housing member 202 at leastpartially disposed for reciprocal movement within such elongatedgenerally hollow tubular member 12. In this embodiment of the invention,such elongated generally hollow housing member 202 is open at a firstend thereof and has each of a predetermined length and a predeterminedcross-sectional shape in a direction transverse to such predeterminedlength.

A plate like means 204 disposed at a second end of such axially opposedsecond end 206 of such elongated generally hollow housing member 202 forclosing such second end 206 of such elongated generally hollow housingmember 202 and having an outer periphery 208 thereof engageable with aninner surface 210 of such elongated generally hollow tubular member 12for providing a first portion of a guide means during such reciprocalmovement.

A second portion of such guide means disposed around an outer peripheryof such elongated generally hollow housing member 12 intermediate eachend thereof and having an outer periphery engageable with such innersurface 210 of such elongated generally hollow tubular member 12 forproviding a second portion of such guide means during such reciprocalmovement.

A first elongated rod like member 102 having each of a predeterminedlength and a first predetermined cross-sectional shape in a directiontransverse to such predetermined length.

A predetermined number of tine members 104 secured to an outer surface106 of such first elongated rod like member 102 adjacent a first end 108thereof for penetrating a ground surface to such at least one of till,weed and cultivate a small garden area;

A second elongated rod like member 110 engageable at a first end 112thereof with a second axially opposed end 114 of such first elongatedrod like member 102. A biasing means 120 disposed over such secondelongated rod like member 110 and caged between a pair of plate likemembers 122 and 124 for absorbing shock during use of such apparatus200.

A means engageable with one of such first closed end 14 of suchelongated generally hollow tubular member 12 and the second end 212 ofsuch second elongated rod like member 110 for manipulating suchapparatus 200 for at least one of trimming such grass from around suchhead portion of such lawn sprinkler and at least one of tilling, weedingand cultivating a small garden area.

In the presently preferred embodiment of this embodiment of theinvention such first elongated rod like member 102 includes a threadedaperture 214 in such second end 114 thereof and the first end 112 ofsuch second elongated rod like member 110 is threaded for threadedlyengaging such threaded aperture 214.

It is presently preferred that such tine members 104 are heat treatedfor hardening and such tine members 104 are secured to such outersurface 106 of the first elongated rod like member 102 adjacent saidfirst end thereof by one of welding and brazing.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in sufficient detail above toenable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same itshould be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications canbe envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departingfrom either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. An apparatus for at least one of tilling, weeding andcultivating a small garden area, said apparatus comprising: (a) a firstelongated rod like member having each of a predetermined length and afirst predetermined cross-sectional shape in a direction transverse tosaid predetermined length; (b) a predetermined number of tine memberssecured to an outer surface of said elongated rod like member adjacent afirst end thereof for penetrating a ground surface to said at least oneof tilling, weeding and cultivating a small garden area; (c) a secondelongated rod like member engageable at a first end thereof with asecond axially opposed end of said first elongated rod like member; (d)a biasing means disposed over said second elongated rod like member andcaged between a pair of plate like members for absorbing shock duringuse of said apparatus; and (e) a means engageable with a second end ofsaid second elongated rod like member for manipulating said apparatusduring said at least one of tilling, weeding and cultivating a smallgarden area.
 7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said firstpredetermined cross-sectional shape of said first elongated rod likemember is one of generally round, hexagonal and octagonal.
 8. Anapparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said first predeterminedcross-sectional shape of said first elongated rod like member isgenerally round.
 9. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein saidbiasing means is a spring.
 10. An apparatus, according to claim 9,wherein said spring is a coil compression spring.
 11. An apparatus,according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined number of tine membersis six.
 12. An apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said tinemembers include a sharpen point.
 13. An apparatus, according to claim 6,wherein said means engageable with a second end of said second elongatedrod like member for manipulating said apparatus during said at 14-17.(canceled)